Late Bus Runs Plague Pennsbury School District

FALLSINGTON, PA — Pennsbury Schools Superintendent Thomas A. Smith has sent a letter to district parents about "habitually late" school bus runs over the past week and that the district is determined to get routes moving faster.

"We share your frustration, and we are working hard to rectify these issues as soon as possible," Smith said in the letter addressed to Pennsbury families about the transportation program. "Our bus drivers are doing their very best, and we appreciate your patience."

The superintendent —in a letter cosigned with Milagro Aleman, the district's director of transportation — outlined several steps the district is taking to resolve the issue:

• We are reviewing each of our 100 bus and van routes to ensure the timely delivery of students to schools. This will result in time or stop adjustments for some students.
• Beginning immediately, pick-up changes are being communicated via paper copy given to the student by the bus driver and also posted in PowerSchool. This will continue over the next several days until all changes are made.
• Elementary and middle school families will be notified via email for any bus that is running more than 15 minutes late.
• We are working with Stopfinder to address the issues that some families are experiencing. We will provide an update when this is resolved.
• We continue to recruit and train drivers (if you or someone you know is interested in being a driver for us, click this link).

Anyone needing transportation assistance should contact the district via email at transportation@pennsburysd.org or call 215-428-4100, ext. 10076.

All messages will be returned as soon as possible.

In the letter, Smith thanked the district's teachers and building staff members for assisting students waiting for late buses.

"Thank you for your patience and understanding," the letter states. "The safe transportation of almost 9,000 students are our primary concern, and we are committed to doing everything we can to address this situation."